Solving the riddle between who, whom

Ernie MannazentaSpeaking of Words

Published: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

When do you use “who” in a sentence? When do you really need “whom”? Conscientious users of the English language keep the distinction in mind and, consequently, use both pronouns correctly. By learning and applying a few grammatical guidelines, you can, too.

Think of “who” (and “whoever”) as belonging to the same category as “he, “she” and “they.” Put “whom” (and “whomever) in the same category as “him,” “her” and ‘them.”

“Who” acts as the subject — the doer or actor — in a sentence. It can serve this purpose in both the main part (main clause) of the sentence or a minor part (subordinate clause). Examples:

Who as a subject in the main part: “Who is going to the movies tonight?”

Who as a subject in a minor part: “I would like Susan, who is the manager of our team, to be more assertive.”

Notice, too, that both subjects are followed by a verb form: “is going” in the first example, and “is” in the second.

“Whom” acts as the object in a sentence; it never is followed by a verb. In many cases, but not all, it is preceded by a preposition. Look for it after such prepositions as “in” “for,” “to” and “by.” Examples:

Whom as the object of a preposition in a sentence: “To whom can we go for assistance?” “I will vote for Henry Jones in whom I have great confidence.”

Whom as the direct object in a sentence: “Bob Stanley, whom we all recognize as a graceful fielder, is seldom seen as a powerful hitter.”

u Guideline No. 1: Rearrange the sentence. One way to be sure “whom” is needed is to mentally rearrange a sentence to get at the subject and object. Let’s try that with the first “whom” example: “We (subject) can go (verb form) to whom (object of a preposition) for assistance.”

Next, let’s mentally reorganize the sentence about Bob Stanley. In this case, we ignore the main part of the sentence, “Bob Stanley is seldom seen,” and restructure the minor part containing “whom”: “we (subject) recognize (verb) whom (direct object) as a graceful fielder.”

u Guideline No. 2: Substitute pronouns. Earlier, I noted the relationship between these two pronouns and other pronouns: he/him; she/her; they/them. To confirm whether “who” or “whom” is needed in a sentence, try replacing them (temporarily) with one of these personal pronouns. Remember that “he,” “she” and “they” are subjective forms and would replace “who.” The pronouns “him,” “her” and “them” are objective forms and could stand in for “whom.” Examples:

Original sentence: “Laurie Platnic is the southpaw player who won the division title.” Replace “who” with the proper subjective pronoun: “She (not “her”) won the division title.”

Original sentence: “The Colorado Rockettes, for whom dancing was a lifetime pursuit, decided to perform for another 10 years.” Replace “whom” with the proper pronoun: “Dancing was a lifetime pursuit for them.”

u Guideline No. 3: Practice. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” In keeping with his wise words, I invite you to get involved.

First, please review the previous guidelines and examples. Then reorganize or restate the following sentences to confirm the correct use of “whom.”

1. Coach Williams, from whom I take lessons, is a brilliant speech tutor. (Restructure the minor part only.)

2. For whom do the bells toll? (With apologies to Ernest Hemingway.)

3. The youngsters, three of whom are precocious, get “A’s” in every test they take.

Complete this brief exercise — along with a friend or family member — to determine that you both have proceeded correctly. Continue to apply these guidelines whenever you encounter these two pronouns in newspapers and magazines. Eventually — if not sooner — this practice should enable you to quickly distinguish between “who” and “whom” and to use them with confidence.

<p>When do you use “who” in a sentence? When do you really need “whom”? Conscientious users of the English language keep the distinction in mind and, consequently, use both pronouns correctly. By learning and applying a few grammatical guidelines, you can, too.</p><p>Think of “who” (and “whoever”) as belonging to the same category as “he, “she” and “they.” Put “whom” (and “whomever) in the same category as “him,” “her” and 'them.”</p><p>“Who” acts as the subject — the doer or actor — in a sentence. It can serve this purpose in both the main part (main clause) of the sentence or a minor part (subordinate clause). Examples:</p><p>Who as a subject in the main part: “Who is going to the movies tonight?”</p><p>Who as a subject in a minor part: “I would like Susan, who is the manager of our team, to be more assertive.”</p><p>Notice, too, that both subjects are followed by a verb form: “is going” in the first example, and “is” in the second.</p><p>“Whom” acts as the object in a sentence; it never is followed by a verb. In many cases, but not all, it is preceded by a preposition. Look for it after such prepositions as “in” “for,” “to” and “by.” Examples:</p><p>Whom as the object of a preposition in a sentence: “To whom can we go for assistance?” “I will vote for Henry Jones in whom I have great confidence.”</p><p>Whom as the direct object in a sentence: “Bob Stanley, whom we all recognize as a graceful fielder, is seldom seen as a powerful hitter.”</p><p>u Guideline No. 1: Rearrange the sentence. One way to be sure “whom” is needed is to mentally rearrange a sentence to get at the subject and object. Let's try that with the first “whom” example: “We (subject) can go (verb form) to whom (object of a preposition) for assistance.”</p><p>Next, let's mentally reorganize the sentence about Bob Stanley. In this case, we ignore the main part of the sentence, “Bob Stanley is seldom seen,” and restructure the minor part containing “whom”: “we (subject) recognize (verb) whom (direct object) as a graceful fielder.”</p><p>u Guideline No. 2: Substitute pronouns. Earlier, I noted the relationship between these two pronouns and other pronouns: he/him; she/her; they/them. To confirm whether “who” or “whom” is needed in a sentence, try replacing them (temporarily) with one of these personal pronouns. Remember that “he,” “she” and “they” are subjective forms and would replace “who.” The pronouns “him,” “her” and “them” are objective forms and could stand in for “whom.” Examples:</p><p>Original sentence: “Sam decided to call Virgil Prince whom he met the preceding week in Bat Cave.” Replace “whom” with the proper objective pronoun: “He met him (not “he”) the preceding week ... .”</p><p>Original sentence: “Laurie Platnic is the southpaw player who won the division title.” Replace “who” with the proper subjective pronoun: “She (not “her”) won the division title.”</p><p>Original sentence: “The Colorado Rockettes, for whom dancing was a lifetime pursuit, decided to perform for another 10 years.” Replace “whom” with the proper pronoun: “Dancing was a lifetime pursuit for them.”</p><p>u Guideline No. 3: Practice. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” In keeping with his wise words, I invite you to get involved.</p><p>First, please review the previous guidelines and examples. Then reorganize or restate the following sentences to confirm the correct use of “whom.”</p><p>1. Coach Williams, from whom I take lessons, is a brilliant speech tutor. (Restructure the minor part only.)</p><p>2. For whom do the bells toll? (With apologies to Ernest Hemingway.)</p><p>3. The youngsters, three of whom are precocious, get “A's” in every test they take.</p><p>Complete this brief exercise — along with a friend or family member — to determine that you both have proceeded correctly. Continue to apply these guidelines whenever you encounter these two pronouns in newspapers and magazines. Eventually — if not sooner — this practice should enable you to quickly distinguish between “who” and “whom” and to use them with confidence.</p>